Chapter 8: Chapter 8

EVIE

“You didn’t need to be so harsh,” I scolded him.

“I wasn’t. I’m their alpha,” he retorted, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Noah, that’s not something people usually say,” I sighed, exasperated.

“I know, Evie. None of this is normal, at least not for you.” Noah hoisted himself off the floor and settled next to me on the couch.

“What’s happening?” I demanded, needing clarity.

“I’m sorry, Evie. This isn’t how I wanted you to discover all this.” Noah raked his fingers through his hair, frustration etched on his face. “You shouldn’t have had to find out like this,” he muttered to himself.

An unexpected urge to comfort him washed over me. I reached out, taking his hand in mine, my thumb tracing circles on his palm.

A low rumble, almost like a purr, emanated from Noah’s chest. I glanced up, gasping at the sight of his eyes. They had morphed from a deep olive to a vibrant green, and they were fixed on me.

“Your eyes change color a lot,” I observed, studying his face.

“I know,” his voice was a low, husky whisper. “Evie, I can’t concentrate when you do that,” he confessed, his eyes closing.

“Do what?” I asked, feigning innocence. I was merely holding his hand.

“Anything.” He chuckled. “Everything you do distracts me.” His eyes fluttered open, back to their normal hue.

His fingers curled around my hand, enveloping it. I noticed how perfectly my small hand fit in his, like two pieces of a puzzle.

“I don’t understand what’s happening,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Noah gently lifted my chin with his free hand, compelling me to meet his gaze.

“I’ll explain everything, Evie. I promise. But I need you to promise me something too.” The intensity in his eyes made me hesitate.

“What?” I asked, my voice wavering.

“Just don’t run away.”

***

~Now I’m getting scared~,

“I meant what I said earlier. I’ll protect you with my life, even from myself. I would never hurt you, Evie. Never. You don’t need to be scared of me. I know this is all overwhelming, but I need you to let me explain. Promise me you’ll listen and not make any hasty decisions.”

Fear flickered in Noah’s eyes and his jaw clenched, as if he were in actual pain. I took a deep breath, pushing down my own fear.

“Okay, I promise I’ll try.”

That was the best I could offer.

Noah seemed to grapple with my response before finally nodding.

“You saw wolves outside the back door. Sawyer told you they were the good guys,” Noah started.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“You remember I mentioned my youngest brother, Jack?” he asked.

I nodded again.

“The big brown wolf was him. The other two were Dexter and Tatum. They’re part of the alpha’s patrol team.”

I blinked at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or just messing with me. But it was clear he was serious—dead serious.

“You’re werewolves,” I squeaked.

Noah seemed taken aback by my response but quickly regained his composure.

“I am. We are.” He gestured around the guesthouse, indicating the other party-goers on the beach.

They were all werewolves.

“Molly and Sawyer?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

Noah nodded slowly.

“Sawyer is my third-in-command, my gamma. My brother, Greyson, is my second-in-command, the beta.”

This guy is nuts.

***

“You don’t think I’m crazy?” He chuckled nervously.

“Oh, I definitely do.” The color drained from his face. “But I’m studying folklore for a reason. I believe in the crazy.” I shrugged.

“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.” Noah’s face lit up with a huge grin.

“Hold on,” I cautioned him as he reached across the couch to touch me. “I said I believe you, not that I trust you.”

I could see my words stung him, though I couldn’t understand why he cared so much about my opinion.

“Wolves are not my thing,” I declared, putting some distance between us.

“I get it, I get it.” Noah rubbed his hands up and down his jeans, as if it took all his willpower to keep from reaching out to me. “You being human is tough enough, but your past with wolves doesn’t make it any easier,” he muttered.

“You make it sound like being human is a bad thing,” I retorted defensively.

His gaze shot up to meet mine. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s just more difficult for me because you don’t share the same instincts as a werewolf.”

“More difficult for you?” I squinted at him in confusion.

“There’s more to our conversation than just werewolves.” He sighed.

“Why do I have the feeling that this other topic is going to be even worse?” I grumbled, avoiding his gaze.

I had to admit, he was distracting. The way his eyes studied me, as if he was trying to memorize every detail, or the way his gaze made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside—his lopsided smile that felt like it was meant just for me.

“It’s not worse, it might just be harder for you to grasp,” he said.

“Harder to grasp than you morphing into a giant dog?” I shot back sarcastically.

Noah nodded, a worried expression on his face. “Can I ask you something first?” he asked.

“I suppose so.”

~Did we even have any secrets left?~

***

“What made you interested in studying folklore? Why do you believe in the crazy?” He echoed my own words back to me, genuine curiosity in his voice.

His question was valid. I suppose most humans wouldn’t take the existence of werewolves too well.

“I was attacked by a wolf and died,” I stated matter-of-factly.

My words made Noah recoil as if I had just slapped him.

“While I was dead, I experienced things I can’t explain. I woke up three months later from a coma. The doctors had no idea why or how I survived. Once I was fully recovered, I decided to travel the world and was drawn to other cultures and their beliefs. I needed answers to what I had experienced, even if they were just myths and tales.”

Noah hung onto every word I said as if he were mesmerized by my voice. I should have found it creepy; a few days ago I probably would have. But coming from Noah, it felt nice to be the center of his attention.

~Pull yourself together, Evie.~

***

“You’re amazing, do you know that?” Noah smirked.

“No, not really,” I responded shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You survived a brutal attack and came out stronger. That makes you amazing.” Noah tilted his head to meet my gaze.

I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable with his affection and his proximity.

“Are all werewolves this big?” I asked, changing the subject.

Noah leaned back on the couch. “We’re all larger than regular wolves, but wolves from the alpha lineage are even bigger. That’s why Jack was larger than Dexter and Tatum,” he explained.

I nodded, mulling over his words.

“Everleigh, you need to stop doing that,” he groaned, catching my attention.

“Doing what?” His lack of restraint was unsettling.

“You’re biting your lip,” his voice was almost a growl.

I pressed my lips together, not realizing I had been chewing on my bottom lip.

“You do that whenever you’re concentrating on something. Did you know that?” Noah observed.

“No,” I responded softly.

“Does our size frighten you?” he asked, steering us back to the topic.

“It’s just…the wolf that attacked me…I swear it was bigger than the ones I saw outside,” I stuttered, embarrassed by my claim.

“Bigger than Jack?” Noah asked.

I nodded.

“Only an alpha would be that size. Are you sure?” Concern laced Noah’s voice.

“I could be mistaken, I suppose. It all happened so quickly.” I shrugged, not wanting to make a fuss.

Noah squinted at me, as if he wasn’t ready to drop the subject.

“What else did you need to tell me?” I asked before he could probe further.

Now it was Noah’s turn to squirm uncomfortably on the couch. I honestly couldn’t imagine what could be worse than revealing you’re a werewolf.